Elementary School Activists Campaigning for Social Changes

On December 12, 5th and 6th graders from Jingwan and Sunderland Elementary schools had an important gathering. The schools, from different hemispheres, adjusted their schedule, putting aside time differences to have a live discussion of important issues that people in the USA and South Korea are currently dealing with. The students began with a collaborative analysis of the causes and impacts of social issues. While researching ways to resolve the problems, they found out that those issues were actually related to their own daily lives and the people around them. After becoming aware of these not only local but also globally related problems, they decided to act upon them.

US students emphasized the importance of making good choices in everyday life and how that can impact everyone. A simple change in behavior, such as always turning off the lights when not in use makes a big difference in saving energy, according to them. Korean students highlighted the societal and economic matters involved in gender equality, health care, climate change, and others. Among several points addressed, they argued strongly why women’s wage is less than men’s in both countries. To campaign for change, students produced Public Service Announcement (PSA) videos.

After careful review of the counterpart school’s PSAs, each class exchanged feedback on their campaign messages. The following reflection from one of the US students shows how these young kids have become change makers and what society they will be able to create for their future.

“It was an awesome experience and we all learned a lot from your PSAs and presentations. We realize that we have choices in the present and future, that can make the world better or worse for all of us.”

#helping #donations

Act Locally, Think Globally for SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

On November 27, laughter and cheers echoed virtually between the jubilant classrooms. The smiling faces of students from Zhenjiang Vocational College in China and Jeonmin High School in Korea were filled with joy, surprise, and fascination as they listened and learned from their international partners.

These students, who have spent the last three months communicating asynchronously through IVECA’s Virtual Classroom, finally had the chance to meet in real-time and share their research to a live, enraptured audience at IVECA’s first Fall 2018 Semester Live Class.

Students discussed and presented their research concerning overconsumption in their respective countries and how this local issue is related to the global efforts in reducing overconsumption as illuminated by the UN Sustainable Development Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.

Although the problems discussed by both classrooms are manifest in unique ways in China and Korea, these intelligent and well-spoken students expressed also the interrelatedness of each issue and the need to find both local and global solutions. Each student left the semester as more self-aware, more understanding, and more capable individuals equipped with the intercultural skills necessary to solve these shared global issues.

Their Live Class concluding all their collaborative work was a tremendous success, with veteran students and teachers from previous years praising it the best Live Class they have ever participated in. One Korean student thanked his international classmates, saying “this was a very meaningful experience for me and my high school life … I could feel impressed deeply thanks to you.” Zhenjian Principal shared his hope that in fact was demonstrated through this Live Class:

“It is hoped that as teachers and students communicate and learn from each other, they make progress together and benefit the world.”

#Ed4GlobalCitizenship, #InterculturalCompetence, #SDG4, #SDG12, #IVECA, #GlobalCitizens

[IVECA 2018 Global Youth Virtual Roundtable – Fall] Inspiration and Action for the SDGs

Youth around the world are catalyst forces in making an impact in society. The Sustainable Development Goals (#SDGs) is part of the United Nations 2030 Development Agenda pertaining to education, poverty, health, gender equality, and climate change. Members of civil society, governments, and the private sector are collaborating in the mobilization of the goals and to raise awareness. Youth as #globalcitizens are also empowering other young individuals to make an impact through awareness campaigns and mobilization of the goals.

On November 19, NY-based NGO Youth Representatives to the UN are gathered at IVECA’s Global Virtual Roundtable with Korean high school students in Yongin to share their experiences and discuss the following questions:

1. What does a global citizen mean to you? 2. What actions can you take to improve your community towards SDGs? 3. How can you empower fellow youth in making an impact on society?

Moderator Ms. Aishwarya Narasimhadevara (Medical Women’s International Association) and youth panelists — Ms. Nishat Mirza (Voices of Bangla & iCastNews), Mr. Alpha Diallo (ENDA), Mr. Srinjoy Bhattacharya(NJ Film Club), and Mr. Lucas McKinnon (@IVECAorg)– introduced the SDGs. By demonstrating their project experiences (app development, filmmaking, and the UN newscasting), the panelists shared various perspectives and insights on how students can take actions to achieve the goals. The high school students also presented the action plans that they think may contribute to the development of society.

One of the high school students, Hyunwoo K., reflected on his Virtual Roundtable experience, “I am so thankful to have such a meaningful conversation with the youth leaders who have been actually working with the UN system for SDGs. I wish we could continue to do this kind of activities throughout the year.”

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– Organizer and Sponsor: #IVECA International Virtual Schooling – Co-sponsor and Partner: Legion of Good Will – USA (LGW)

Special thanks to LGW for their generous hospitality of the event

#Ed4GlobalCitizenship, #Youth, #InterculturalCompetence, #Commit2Dialogue, #SDG4, #Partnerships, #ICTinEducation